Lighthouse Church Durban

God loves us enough to have prepared for us in advance. Only God has a better plan for our lives. God communicates His plan through speaking to us. - We hear God through his word (scriptures). - He speaks to us in prayer. - God can also speak to us through discomfort. We need to develop a listening heart, praying with faith and expectation, and not being afraid of what God might tell us to do. Eph...

The apostle Paul likened the disciple's life to a marathon that should be trained for and run well. Using this analogy, here are some things we can do to run a good race: HAVE A SPIRITUAL "TRAINING KIT" - a Bible in language I can understand - a tool to help me understand the hard parts - a friend to ask questions - a notebook to help me to listen & act HAVE A SPIRITUAL "TRA...

It is God's will that we be people of consistent prayer. Jesus expects his disciples to pray, and he teaches us how to pray. Prayer is a child speaking with their Heavenly Father, not a religious performance. We should pray in the power of the Holy Spirit. As we do, prayer leads to supernatural intervention. We should pray in the name of Jesus - truly representing him, not saying his name as &...

Jesus called the Holy Spirit "another advocate" - one who would be with us, continuing Jesus' ministry. We should therefore learn to work with him so that we can enjoy his ministry of reminding, revealing, empowering and transforming us. We do this by yielding, obeying, expecting and "being filled". He then imparts spiritual gifts to us - as he knows is best - and transform...

The Holy Spirit is a person; not wind, water, energy or fire! He is our "Advocate", the one who comes alongside us. He lives with us and in us. He teaches us, reminds us, and intercedes for us. He is a person, not a force we may seek to control. We relate to Him, we don't "tap into" Him for power. Let's know the difference between the person of the Holy Spirit and his w...

Here are some compelling reasons to read the Bible regularly: Jesus had absolute trust in the scriptures Jesus said that his own words are eternally significant The apostles viewed the scriptures as "God-breathed" Scripture is powerful, cutting to the heart Scripture cleanses our souls Scripture sustains our souls Scripture reveals the lies of the devil Scripture speaks into every aspect...

The church exists for God - he has chosen to reveal his wisdom through it. The church belongs to Jesus - he rules it, and he is building it. He loves the church as his bride, so we should surely also love her! Jesus has given the church ministry gifts to equip and mature us. The end goal is a wedding - with the church as his bride and he as our bridegroom! Matthew 16:18, Ephesians 1:22-23, Ephesia...

God expects us to grow up into maturity - it is foundational to our faith. We learn from the Bible that spiritual maturity: - submits to ministry gifts that equip them - builds unity - results in the Kingdom of God advancing - discerns good from evil and recognizes God's will - isn't influenced by winds of false teaching - perseveres through trials - is devotion to Jesus  - looks more and...

The gospel - "good news" - is the most important message we could ever hear or tell - so it is important to know exactly what this good news is. It starts with some very bad news. Everyone has sinned in God's sight. This has left us spiritually dead, separated from God, helpless and in desperate need of redemption. But then there is wonderful news! Jesus - God's beloved Son - die...

Jesus commanded the first disciples to make disciples - and teach them to do likewise. In the first centuries of the church, it was very clear what it meant to be a disciple ofJesus, but over the years some of that clarity was lost. This short study aims to clarify what it means to be a disciple. Disciples of Jesus: - learn Jesus' words and put them into practice (learners/ apprentices) - comm...

We are called to partner with God as salt and light in our communities. God speaks to people through us. Sometimes we make excuses like: -They're the enemy - I'm not speaking to them! -They don't deserve forgiveness and restoration! -It's too risky / dangerous / costly! Today let's hear Jesus' call and be salt and light to our communities. Ezekiel 33:1-7, Matthew 5:13-16, I...

The most powerful presentation of God's amazing grace and forgiveness is surely the crucifixion of Jesus. There Jesus cried out, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing." And he promised paradise to the criminal who put his faith in him as he was being crucified with him. God offers us a perfect forgiveness that is complete and permanent. He also demands of us...

As the people of God, we have been "called up" to active duty. This calling applies to all of us always and everywhere. It is not reserved for Sundays! Jesus did a complete work of atonement for us, but the mission of seeking and saving the lost is NOT yet finished. He is completing it through us. Many Christians have a "church" mindset and are useful on Sundays; we need to rat...

At Easter, we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus. And we celebrate the brand-new life that he offers to those who believe and entrust their lives to him. As we look around us, we can see people and communities who seem broken beyond repair. WE may even feel broken beyond repair. Jesus does not offer a self-help or makeover program. He offers us a brand-new life - if we will surrender it...

The apostle Peter listed seven traits that will enable followers of Jesus to live effective and productive lives:  - Virtue  - Knowledge  - Self-control  - Perseverance  - Godliness  - Brotherly kindness  - Love He lists them as a journey from a barren life to a life of love and fruitfulness. We would do well to journey through these steps! 2 Peter 1:5-13, Ephesians 2:10, James 1:22, Matthew 22:37...

In the beginning, God commanded mankind to be fruitful, multiply and fill the earth - but they preferred to stay together and build their own city. Jesus commands his disciples to go and make disciples of all nations - but we may prefer to stay together in our buildings. Our meeting venues are intended to be places where we are equipped to do what Jesus commands - let's not get stuck in the bu...

The Bible teaches us that every disciple is on a journey of transformation, becoming more and more like Jesus. Yet we can get "stuck" on our journey - for many reasons. Here are three reasons - and things that we can do to "get unstuck": - If you're being passive, develop your spiritual disciplines and ask God what you must do. - If you're gripped by the past, let God&#...

The exodus journey of Israel teaches many lessons of life and faith: - God hears and answers - but in HIS perfect timing - In "impossible" situations, choose faith over fear - God is theWay-Maker! - God can meet your needs in the toughest times - remember all he has done in the past! - God's commands are not just rules - they draw us close in relationship with him - Rebellion against...

Jesus often rebuked religious leaders for hypocrisy - their visible and invisible lives were very different. Like them, we also have a "visible you" and an "invisible you". If the "visible you" grows faster than the "invisible you", trouble is surely coming! Jesus taught us to lay foundations that no-one sees - like secret giving, prayer and fasting - and pu...

Israel had to leave Egyptian culture behind in order to embrace God's culture - and they had to come under God's rule. Having left Egypt, God took them on a journey that both challenged them and infused courage and hope in them. There, God revealed himself: his love, his power and his holiness. The journey shows that: - God is patient with us, even when we are slow learners! - We need to l...

The young nation of Israel was ruled by God - but then they rejected God as their King. They wanted to live their way. We should be careful not to make the same mistake! Wise men recognised the new-born Jesus as a King who should be worshipped. Jesus declared, "the Kingdom of Heaven is near" and later "I have been given all authority". And our statement of faith "Jesus is...

We may sometimes try to "help" or "advise" God regarding what should happen in our lives. We pursue OUR will and ask him to bless OUR plans. We then get frustrated when God works out HIS will instead of ours. The wiser (Biblical) way is to trust God completely (he really does know better than us!) and seek his will and submit to his ways.  Sometimes God's will may offend us...

In the Bible, fire speaks of many things, including God's presence, approval and power. The coming of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost looked like fire. We can carry the "fire of God" wherever we go. Because of the Holy Spirit, we can be led by God and empowered by God. Only God can light the fire, but we need to fan the flames, seeking God's presence, purpose and power! When we die...

Many people set goals at the beginning of the year. This is a helpful exercise, but we need to ask: "Is this goal ultimately worthwhile?" When we ask this question, we may realise that we need to reconsider our goals. Here is a goal that is eternally worthwhile: TO KNOW JESUS AND BECOME LIKE HIM And here are some things that will help us get there: -Get to know Jesus by being in his pres...

Technology and social advances can bring greater convenience into many aspects of our lives. These advances can make us more effective as disciples of Christ, butthey can also make us less effective, even lazy and selfish. Jesus calls us to lay down our lives and follow him - because following Jesus can be very inconvenient at times. Choosing the convenient way can lead us away from God's will...